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When was the last time you saw us for a routine dental cleaning? We recommend one every six months for patients of all ages, as this not only brightens smiles, but protects your overall health. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist talks about the benefits and importance of a six-month dental cleaning visit.
The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, harmful oral bacteria will consume any particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks we consume. As this occurs, oral anxiety levels rise and the teeth become coated in a bacterial byproduct known as plaque. This sticky layer hardens with time into tartar and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. If left in place, the layers will weaken and erode the outer enamel to make cavities more likely, and can irritate the gums to cause gingivitis and increase the risk of gum disease. The layers are also linked to bad breath and teeth stains too! But with a professional cleaning, we can remove these layers and polish the smile to protect your oral health.
The Dental Cleaning
We recommend a cleaning as part of your six-month checkup visit, so we can use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to gently but thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth to lower the risk of tooth decay and periodontal issues. The process only takes a few minutes and is helpful for kids and adults alike. This helps protect the smile from issues like cavities and periodontal disease. If you already have gingivitis or gum disease, we may recommend a scaling and root planing, in which we remove buildup from both the teeth and roots. This is more involved, and we numb your smile beforehand. With both options, we finish the procedure by polishing your smile to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the teeth before your next visit, and also brighten your smile!
Brushing and Flossing at Home
In between these visits, you need to brush and floss to help limit the severity of buildup until we can see you again. Be sure you brush two times a day for two minutes each time, in the morning and before bed. Also, before you brush that second time, be sure you floss thoroughly. These actions remove the particles of sugar and starch that encourage plaque and tartar buildup. If you have any questions about how we safeguard smiles with a dental cleaning, then contact our team today.
LEARN MORE ABOUT REMOVING HARMFUL BUILDUP WITH DR. STEWART, DDS!
A preventive visit is a simple way to safeguard the health and beauty of your smile. To find out more or to schedule your next preventive dental visit, give us a call at our office in Livonia, MI at (734)425-4400.